Hello Monaco magazine HelloMonaco 2018#04_Summer_Autumn_WEB | Page 148

dynasty Antoine and Ambroise eventually gave up their claims to the Principality in exchange for Menton and Roquebrune. Jean I became a fully-fledged and unanimous ruler of Monaco Сharles V the Wise (Charles V le Sage), King of France from the House of Valois, a side branch of the Capetian dynasty, 14th century the Duke of Savoy. When Jean I returned back home, he was treacherously taken prisoner. His wife Pomeline Fregoso played a paramount role under these circumstances, taking leadership and defending the Principality against all com- ers. She did not let the enemy break in, even when the Duke of Savoy threatened to kill her husband right under the walls of Monaco. In response, she vowed never to surren- der. Luckily, the Duke of Savoy did not carry out his threats and continued the siege. Pomeline Fregoso must have had incredible mental and physical strength not to yield and to At the end of his life, the Lord of Monaco, Jean I had only one major concern — an heir 146 / Hello Monaco Summer–Autumn 2018 not let down her people in those hard times. The Duke of Savoy eventually released Jean I after a year of captivity. The siege was lifted, and in 1440 the Duke of Milan renounced his rights to Monaco, making it independent again. At the end of his life, the Lord of Monaco, Jean I had only one major concern — an heir. Out of all his children, only one of his sons Catalan and his daughter Bartolomea lived to be adults. He also had a granddaughter Clau- dine. Catalan thus inherited the Monaco throne after his father’s death in 1454. On April 5, 1454, Lord Jean I established the rules of succes- sion for the Grimaldi clan. The throne of Monaco thus had to pass from father to elder son. Only if there were no male de- scendants would the eldest daughter take over the throne. And only on the condition that she married a direct or indirect descendant of the Grimaldis. And their heirs should take the name and coat of arms of the Grimaldi family. These rules of inheritance are true to this day.